INDIANA, Pa. – After a weekend off from divisional play, the IUP softball team returns from its "bye week" to play a four-game series against Pitt-Johnstown this weekend. The Crimson Hawks host a doubleheader Friday at Podbielski Field with a new scheduled start time of 12 p.m. The two teams will play in Johnstown Saturday at 1 p.m. 

The Crimson Hawks are 10-8 overall and fourth in the PSAC West with a 9-7 divisional record. UPJ is 4-14 overall and eighth in the West at 4-12. 

Spectator Policies
IUP Athletics is allowing spectators at outdoor events this spring. Any fans visiting Ruth Podbielski Field are asked to keep socially distant from each other, participating teams, student-athletes, school officials and other game day personnel. When not able to socially distant, please wear masks. Read the full policy here.

Pitt-Johnstown allows up to 200 visitors at VE Erickson Complex. Masks must be worn and all times and social distancing is required. Read the full policy here. 
 
Last Time Out
>> The Crimson Hawks split a low-scoring, cross-divisional doubleheader at Shippensburg on Tuesday. IUP lost the opener 2-1 and won game two 3-0.
>> Freshman lefty Bella Bucy tossed a complete game shutout in the nightcap, scattering five hits while striking out four.
>> Sophomore Ashley Renzi went 3-4 with 3 RBI on the day. 

Follow/Social Media
Live Stats (IUP): IUPstats.com
Live Video (IUP): IUP Softball Facebook
Live Stats (UPJ): PittJohnstownAthletics.com
Twitter: @IUPsoftball
Instagram: @iupsoftball
 
Series notes
>> IUP leads the series with a record of 16-4 since 2015 when UPJ joined the old PSAC Central Division.
>> The Crimson Hawks won 10 straight games from 2015 to 2017 and is 5-3 against UPJ since 2018.
>> IUP is 9-1 against UPJ at home. 

Matchup notes
>> The Mountain Cats are 13th in the PSAC with a .273 batting average and 16th with a .353 slugging percentage. They've scored five runs once in their last seven games.
>> UPJ's team ERA of 5.87 is also 15th in the PSAC. The Crimson Hawks are 13th at 5.52. 
>> UPJ features middle infielder Olivia Porter, who leads the team in every major statistical category, including batting average (.358), hits (24), runs (15), doubles (5), triples (4), RBI (17), slugging (.642) and on-base percentage (.403). 

Beers having career season
>> Beers leads the Crimson Hawks in average (.426), runs scored (16), hits (26), doubles (6), homers (6), RBI (18), slugging (.820), and stolen bases (6). 
>> She has eight multi-hit games, including four games of 3 hits. 
>> She recently moved into a three-way tie for fifth in IUP history with 22 career home runs. She's also third with 37 doubles, tied for sixth with 103 RBI, ninth with a .556 slugging percentage, and 11th with a .332 batting average.
>> Beers has seen time in centerfield with eight starts in divisional series against Mercyhurst and Seton Hill. She had started at second base since her freshman year in 2017.
>> She was named PSAC Central Freshman of the Year in 2017 and PSAC Central Athlete of the Year in 2018. She's a three-time first team All-PSAC selection.

Wall settling into the leadoff spot
>> Senior Renee Wall has seemingly found her perfect spot in the order, as the leadoff hitter is among PSAC leaders with a .521 on-base percentage.
>> She recently ended a streak of 14 straight games reaching base and has been hit by pitch nine times, which is tied for 12th in Division II.
>> Wall is third on the team with a .377 batting average, is second on the team with a .566 slugging percentage. 
>> For her career, she's top-5 in IUP history with a .350 average and a .585 slugging percentage in 111 games. 

Having Hope
>> Sophomore pitcher Hope Jones leads the PSAC with 70 strikeouts this year. She has a 4-3 record and team-best 4.58 ERA in 9 appearanes (8 starts).
>> With 44.1 innings pitched, she ranks 14th in Division II with 10.7 strikeouts per 7 innings. 
>> Jones had a career-high 14 strikeouts against Seton Hill. That marked the most strikeouts by an IUP pitcher since All-American Erin Holloway fanned 15 Lake Erie batters on March 16, 2010.
>> Jones also had a pair of 12-strikeout performances against Cal U.